Author's Note: Okay, Okay, I know I haven't updated in awhile, okay a long while...I apologize. Writer's block can bring the best to their knees, if you catch my drift. Again I am so so sorry for waiting so long to update, please don't hate me...
Chapter 11
Haku released the arrow sending it flying full speed towards the center of Sempora's eyes. The arrow hit her dead on, but it seemed to be stuck in a force field surrounding her. So instead of penetrating her skin, the force behind the arrow sent her flying back against the leafy tree top. As Haku prepared to fire another arrow, Sempora propped herself up on her elbows and smirked at him.
"Do you really want to fight me Haku? Imagine what I could give you if we were to marry. You would have unlimited power at your hands at all times, you could defeat anything that stood against you. Are you really willing to throw that all away just to be with some worthless human?"
As if to answer her question, Haku sent another arrow flying in her direction. Only this time it began to penetrate the force field that had just blocked the previous arrow. Sempora's smile faded instantly as she pulled the arrow out and threw it against the ground, shattering it. Orbs of white light began to engulf Sempora's hands, her eyes now filled with anger.
"Your making a terrible mistake Haku."
This time Haku was the one to laugh. "You are the one who made the mistake when you thought I would actually consider marrying you."
This seemed to enrage Sempora even more as she flew quickly towards Haku.
"You are such a fool!"
She threw his body backwards slamming against them both against the bed mat, clasping her hands around his, she caused the light around her hands to burn through Haku's flesh.
"Chihiro couldn't even give you half of what I can offer you. Why don't you just give into me now?"
"Don't you ever shut-up?"
Haku pushed both of his feet underneath her and shoved her off, sending her soaring into the sky. He quickly stood to his feet and quickly healed his injured hands. As Sempora plummeted down on top of him with her fists raised, ready to battle, Haku was waiting for her.
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Chihiro walked about two steps behind Tsutomu as they tread through the forest. She looked back from time to time, seeing if Haku would ever decide to follow her.
"Maybe I was too harsh on him, he looked so sad..."
Tsutomu stopped and turned around to look at Chihiro.
"Do you want to turn back now? It seems pointless for us to continue, considering the only reason you agreed to go on this quest was to help Haku."
Chihiro looked down towards the ground as she spoke.
"We can continue on, I don't want to give up on Haku just yet, even though I said I was."
Tsutomu grabbed hold of her chin and pulled it upward, causing her to look him in the eye.
"We shall continue on then..."
Chihiro looked up into Tsutomu's eyes and blushed, she kept noticing how attractive he was, especially when she was so close to his face like this. She quickly forced her head out of his hands and smiled.
"Lets get a move on then."
They only walked for about ten minutes when Tsutomu reached his hand down and stopped Chihiro from walking.
"We have finally reached the edge of the forest."
Chihiro looked ahead and noticed that in the distance she could see the sun pouring over reeds that were blowing in the wind.
Tsutomu had an anxious look on his face as he too looked ahead.
"I have never ventured from this forest before."
Chihiro smiled and tugged at his arm.
"There is a first time for everything."
They had almost reached the edge of the trees, when the sound of rushing wind caused then to turn their heads. Haku stood not far behind them, his clothes were ripped and torn from his body. His pants were bloodstained, and his skin was badly cut and bruised.
"Haku what happened?" Chihiro turned and rushed toward him. He limped a couple of steps forward, before Chihiro wrapped her arms around him holding him close.
Chihiro leaned back and looked into Haku's face, noticing that he was badly cut on both his cheeks and his forehead. Blood slowly dripped onto her as she stood close to him, but she didn't seem to notice.
"Did Sempora do this to you?"
Another voice came from above their heads.
"And what if I did?"
Chihiro and Tsutomu looked up to see Sempora hovering over them. She descended toward the ground with a grin on her face. She also had bruises covering her body, but her damage what not as bad a Haku's.
Tsutomu stepped forward in defense of Chihiro and Haku.
"Sempora, what have you done?"
"Silence Tsutomu, I told him he didn't know what he was up against."
When Sempora's feet hit the ground she winced in pain, Chihiro noticed that the glow that once surrounded her was gone. She looked down at Sempora's feet and saw she now stood directly on the ground, not floating above it like she normally did. Haku pulled himself up and brought his hand up to Chihiro's face, slowly caressing it. She placed her hand over his, clasping it into hers. Haku tried to speak, but barely a whisper escaped from his lips.
"Chihiro...I just wanted to...see...you one more time...before I-"
"Haku, don't speak like that! You've made it through worse before. Your going to make it now."
Haku smiled up towards her.
Sempora noticed Chihiro and Haku talking.
"I see I didn't finish him off, I was positive I killed him for sure."
She headed towards the couple with her fists glowing red, but was stopped when Tsutomu grabbed her arm.
"Leave them alone Sempora."
"Tsutomu? Have you forgotten your place? Maybe I should remind you where you stand."
She turned to punch him, but he ducked just in time for her to miss. He quickly thrust his foot up kicking her hard in the chest, sending her sprawling on the ground.
"What the hell is wrong with you Tsutomu? Can't you see what I did to Haku? And I assure you, I know you are weaker than he is."
"With all due respect, shut-up Sempora."
Sempora looked up at him astounded. Tsutomu turned back to look at Chihiro who now had propped Haku up against her shoulders, trying to help him walk.
"He needs help...fast."
Tsutomu began to walk in their direction but Sempora swung her leg around, causing him to trip.
"Finish what you started with me first!"
Tsutomu quickly joined his forefingers and his thumbs, after hurriedly chanted a few choice words. A small clear cube formed between his fingers. He threw the small cube towards Sempora who was preparing to attack him. The clear box grew and surrounded Sempora's entire body. She struggled as the cube trapped her inside.
"Release me from this at once Tsutomu! At first I was just going to injure you, considering you are a fellow forest spirit, but now...now I'm going to KILL you!"
Tsutomu turned his back to Sempora and walked to where Chihiro and Haku stood.
"That should keep her busy for a second. That spell won't last long, so well have to hurry. Chihiro, lay Haku against the ground."
Chihiro promptly followed Tsutomu instructions, slightly surprised how courageous he had become. After lying Haku on the ground, Tsutomu leaned over him.
"This may hurt a bit..."
Tsutomu pressed his forefingers against Haku's forehead causing a green light to surge throughout his body. Haku screamed out in pain as he felt his wounds close up and his broken bones mend, it was the most painful thing he had ever felt in his entire life. After continuous fighting with in the cube, Sempora finally broke free of it's hold. Crushing the box into tiny pieces, she ran toward Tsutomu.
"How dare you! I will show you what happens when you undermine me!"
She had thrust her glowing hands down and tried to place them around his neck, but Tsutomu quickly turned at blocked it with glowing hands of his own.
"Your highness, are you prepared to fight me?"
He pushed both his hands foreword, causing Sempora to stumble backwards. Tsutomu reached down and unsheathed his sword. Once his hands touched it, the blade shone a bright yellow. He shouted back to Chihiro and Haku.
"Go on now to the Temple of Asjar, Hurry! I'll hold Sempora off..."
Chihiro looked at Tsutomu's back, she suddenly didn't want to leave him alone to battle, she wanted to help him anyway she could. Haku, whose wounds had fully healed, grabbed hold of Chihiro's hand.
"You heard him, come on Chihiro."
But her feet didn't budge. Haku tugged at her arm, but she kept looking back at Tsutomu. He felt her gaze on him and turned to meet her eyes.
"Chihiro, what are you waiting for? Go now!"
"But-"
Sempora had come running full force toward Tsutomu, causing him to put up his sword in defense. When her arm collided into his sword it created a bright white light, which spewed in every direction.
"Just go!"
Chihiro nodded her head and followed Haku as he led her out of the forest. She was able to sneak one last look at Tsutomu before she left the shade of the trees. In the pit of her stomach, she had the feeling that she would never see him again. Haku led her out of the forest into that seemed to be murky, dark water. They trudged through the knee-high sludge, with their hands held together tightly.
"Haku, Is this the Lagoon of Darkness?"
Haku slowly nodded his head.
"Watch out, many creatures live underneath the water. I put a protection charm around us so nothing can harm us."
Chihiro immediately looked down and saw many dangerous looking fish swim around her feet. One of them even tried to bite her, but once it tried, it turned into a small goldfish. She giggled at the small fish that now swam away in the opposite direction. They walked for about a half an hour before Chihiro's voice broke the silence.
"Haku, about what I said earlier, about us."
"Don't worry about it, you were startled by the sight of me and Sempora. I'm sure you weren't thinking in your clear state of mind." He turned at smiled at Chihiro. "Right?"
Chihiro grinned and squeezed his hand tighter. "Right."
Haku suddenly stopped walking causing Chihiro to look at him.
"There it is," he said, "The Temple of Asjar."
She looked up to see a large stone building, actually it looked more like a tomb rather than a building. It stood so tall that Chihiro couldn't see the roof, and moss and algae covered every inch of it. She began to walk towards the large stained copper doors that stood before them, but Haku beat her to it and pulled the large brass knob. With a loud creak, the door opened and Haku immediately stepped inside. Chihiro quickly followed behind him. Inside of the temple, a heavy musty smell filled the air. Haku and Chihiro walked cautiously through the long dark hallway near the entrance.
Suddenly two long moldy arms sprung from the wall and grabbed hold of Haku. Chihiro screamed and pulled at his arms, trying to free him from the grip of the moldy looking hands. Haku tried to use magic, but after struggling even more the hands slammed Haku against the walls.
"Haku! What do I do?"
"Chihiro, you must retrieve the Amulet on your own! Spirits are not allowed to enter this temple, don't worry, I'll find a way to escape. Just hurry and find the am-" Before he could finish his sentence the arms had pulled Haku into the wall completely. Chihiro ran up to where Haku was moments ago and began to beat her hands against the smooth brick wall furiously.
"Haku! Haku! I can't do this alone! I need you to help me somehow!"
The voice to answer her pleas was not Haku's, but a voice Chihiro had never heard before. A dark, dank, rusty voice.
"If you wish to see your friend again, you must retrieve the amulet. Hurry, you don't have long till he is gone completely..."
Chihiro began to tremble as she looked at the darkness that surrounded her in all directions. She looked around for something, anything, that would provide a source of light. After searching the walls and the floor of the hallways desperately, she noticed she still was wearing the cloak Haku had given her. As she had focused on the swimsuit earlier, she focused all her thoughts on a flashlight. Suddenly something slightly heavy fell into her hands. She ran her fingers all over the item until they skimmed across a switch. She pushed it upward, causing light to flood the corridor she was standing in. Feeling a little more confident, she continued to walk down the hallway.
Each step she took echoed off the brick walls. Chihiro kept the flashlight pointing straight ahead as she continued to tread on. The sudden sound of a low growl caused her to stop walking and point the flashlight in every direction, trying to find the source of the noise. Trying to hold the flashlight steady, she pointed the long beam of light on a large dog-like creature that stood a little ways in front of her. It's skin was pitch black, and its fangs were bared looking as it was about to attack. Chihiro began to back up slowly, still keeping the beam of light steady on the beast. A tile on the floor which was set a little higher than the rest caused Chihiro to trip and fall backwards. The flashlight flew out of her hands and skidded across the floor. The light bounced off the wall causing Chihiro to still be able to barely see the monster. As if it was cued to attack, the monster suddenly ran forward in Chihiro's direction. Feeling nothing but fear, Chihiro closed her eyes tightly shut, and prayed for a miracle to happen.
"Help me! Somebody, Anybody!"
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Author's Note: Is it alright? Leave a review! I want to know what everyone thinks! The next chapter should be out way faster than this one, I've already started on it. I promise.
Is it alright? Leave a review! I want to know what everyone thinks! The next chapter should be out way faster than this one, I've already started on it. I .Well, until the next chapter...